Big East Basketball: Buy/sell among likely 2022 NCAA Tournament teams

Big East Basketball: Buy or Sell among likely 2022 NCAA Tournament teams

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Jared Rhoden #14 and Bryce Aiken #1 of the Seton Hall Pirates in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at Prudential Center on December 12, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. Seton Hall defeated Rutgers 77-63. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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Big East Basketball Xavier Musketeers guard Paul Scruggs Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

Xavier – SELL

A Xavier team that started out red hot at 11-1 has come back down to earth and now sits in the middle of the pack in the Big East. The Musketeers have some signature wins this season, for example, they beat Marquette, UConn, and in-state foe Ohio State. They have been inconsistent as of late and lost to DePaul on their home floor.

Now a loss to DePaul isn’t as bad as it had been in past years, but that’s still a game you have to win, especially with no Javon Freeman-Liberty. The Musketeers have two All-Big East caliber big men in junior forwards Jack Nunge and Zach Freemantle, but I can’t see this group reaching the second-weekend potential they have.

UConn – BUY

UConn is an interesting team here. They have a massive week of home games ahead against Seton Hall, Xavier, and Villanova that could really make or break their resume. The Huskies already have some quality wins including a sweep of Marquette and a win over Auburn in the Bahamas.

Many key players have been missing in some close losses for the Huskies as well, including sophomore forward Adama Sanogo against Providence, senior forward Isaiah Whaley against Michigan St., and both Sanogo and senior guard Tyrese Martin against West Virginia. When healthy, this can be a dangerous group that can beat on both sides of the ball and a defense you don’t want to see on the first weekend.

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